Chapter 50: The Weight of the Horse, Proof

Yoo Han-beom. He is currently the guild master running the Artemis Guild. However, he didn’t hold this

overwhelming position from the start.

Now, he is a man stronger than anyone and possesses immense wealth, but in the past, he even stole from others to

fill his hungry stomach. There was also an incident where he stole a potion for a sick friend and was beaten to the

point of near paralysis.

“Please… I beg you, just this once, help me….”

“You pathetic fool. Scum like you are worse than parasites. What does it matter to me if your friend dies or not?

Whether he lives or dies, I don’t get a single coin out of it. So, get lost right now.”

His life began at the very bottom, so painfully low. Crawling up from the depths, he came to know one thing with

absolute certainty: no one would take responsibility for his actions, and he couldn’t afford to appear weak to anyone.

While living at rock bottom, he began to accumulate distrust and hatred toward others, eventually viewing people as

mere tools. To avoid being trampled on, he trampled others, and to avoid being ignored, he climbed even higher. As

a result, he reached the peak, but his heart remained ever hollow.

A goal.

He lost his purpose. Though he had achieved his objective of becoming the best in the country, someone that no one

could ignore, there was nothing left for him. All he had were his hundreds of subordinates, endless gold and

treasures, and his family.

None of it stirred his soul. Everything was disappointing, whether it was people or money, none of it satisfied him.

But Lee Hyun-seung was different.

“I swear on my life, it wasn’t me.”

“So, you’re saying you were falsely accused, and Hee-yeon questioned you unfairly. Can you stand by that statement?”

Anyone else would have already been groveling at Yoo Han-beom’s feet by now. That was the norm. Yoo Han-beom

was a famous powerhouse known throughout the country, and his organization, Artemis, wielded immense strength.

Both individually and collectively, he held such overwhelming power that no one could ignore it. This was common

knowledge. Thus, people dared not oppose Yoo Han-beom; whether out of fear of retaliation or knowing they

couldn’t win, they surrendered. However, Lee Hyun-seung instead stared him down and responded.

“I don’t engage in pathetic acts like stalking. I have neither the time nor the reason to follow someone around taking pictures like a fool.”

Yoo Han-beom quietly observed Lee Hyun-seung. His gaze reminded him of his own younger self, filled with fierce

determination. The days when he resented the world, feeling crushed by the wall of reality, vowing to trample

everything beneath him. It was as if he was looking at his own reflection from back then.

“I like him. But… I need to confirm a bit more.”

It hadn’t yet been definitively proven that Lee Hyun-seung wasn’t the stalker. Although it was confirmed that Lee’s

mana traces were not found on the phone—the key evidence—the investigation through mana database comparison

had yet to clear him fully. In this context, Lee’s words could come across as somewhat audacious.

There is a thin line between conviction and recklessness. Yoo Han-beom wanted to see if Lee Hyun-seung’s actions

stemmed from genuine belief or if he was merely being reckless out of emotion. So, he deliberately pushed him

further.

“Lee Hyun-seung, your charges haven’t been entirely cleared yet. So, by speaking like this, are you saying you’ll take full responsibility if any issues arise in the future? If you’re found to be the culprit, don’t expect to get off lightly.”

-CRASH-!

Eventually, Yoo Han-beom struck the floor of the interview room with great force.

-Thud!

Even though he had only tapped it lightly with his staff, the entire room began to shake violently, carrying an

overwhelming amount of mana with it.

-Flinch

In that moment, Lee Hyun-seung imagined what would have happened if that staff had struck him instead.

‘He’d be dead for sure.’

If he had taken a direct hit from a staff carrying that immense mana, his body would have been crushed in an instant.

The blow just now made him realize once more that he had no way to defeat this man at this moment. But a question

started to form in Lee Hyun-seung’s mind regarding Yoo Han-beom’s behavior.

‘Why does he keep repeating the same thing over and over?’

Lee Hyun-seung had already made it clear that he was not involved in the stalking incident, even risking his life to

assert it. Yet Yoo Han-beom continued to press him as if he wanted to hear a different answer.

Lee Hyun-seung recalled the word Yoo Han-beom had emphasized the most.

“Do you understand that you will be held accountable for everything? If it turns out that you are the perpetrator, there will be no leniency.”

‘Responsibility. That’s what it is.’

To Yoo Han-beom, the critical point wasn’t whether he was actually the stalker or not. He wasn’t focusing on that.

『Can you take responsibility for your words? If you can, how will you do so?』

It was as if he were asking that exact question. Lee Hyun-seung quickly opened his mouth to respond.

“I am fully prepared to take responsibility for everything I’ve said. If the investigation finds even the slightest

evidence connecting me to the stalking incident, I will accept any retaliation that the Artemis Guild deems

necessary.”

Then, he continued.

“However, the investigation must be free from manipulation. Not only Yoo Hee-yeon, but also your wife, Madam

Kim Hee-ra, seem to have a very unfavorable view of me. You know as well as I do that if Madam Kim Hee-ra were to

misuse the power of Artemis, even innocence could be turned into guilt. Therefore, the investigation must be fair.”

-Boom!

“You brat! Watch your mouth! I’ve let it slide, and now you’re climbing all over me!”

Until now, Yoo Han-beom had been speaking to Lee Hyun-seung to test him. But this time, he seemed genuinely enraged.

Though Lee Hyun-seung had spoken carefully, he had made his point clear.

『If your wife and daughter don’t pull any underhanded tricks behind the scenes, I will be found innocent.』

-Rumble!

Yoo Han-beom started gathering his mana once again.

But Lee Hyun-seung did not flinch. Instead, he seemed as though he had been waiting for this moment to speak.

“Guild Master Yoo Han-beom, I apologize for the offensive remarks I made just now. But there is something I hope

you understand. Forcing someone to answer for something they haven’t done, as if it were the truth, is extremely

unpleasant for the person involved.”

Swoosh

Lee Hyun-seung lowered his head and continued.

“I did not commit any stalking. However, under Yoo Hee-yeon’s accusations, I was nearly convicted. I was nearly

made guilty for something I did not do. In fact, I was even suspended because of it, despite the lack of evidence. I’m

not sure why President Choi I-seul handled the matter that way, but I’ll refrain from commenting on that.”

“And then, you came to me afterward, demanding to know how I would take responsibility if I were found guilty.

Once again, I was questioned over something that didn’t happen. Just as you were displeased, I also found it equally

offensive.”

It was a logical argument. Yoo Han-beom himself had just gotten angry due to Lee Hyun-seung’s probing questions,

so he couldn’t argue back logically.

Slowly

Yoo Han-beom suppressed the mana he was gathering. He then spoke to Lee Hyun-seung.

“Like a fool, I allowed myself to get worked up, leaving no room to counter your words. I apologize for the foolish display, and I apologize for the interrogative tone as well.”

‘…What?’

Lee Hyun-seung felt chills rather than relief at Yoo Han-beom’s reaction. For a typical person, an apology might

signal that things had been resolved peacefully. But Yoo Han-beom was different. He never gave out apologies

casually. It was terrifying. What was he planning, to preface it with an apology?

Sure enough, Yoo Han-beom spoke words that sent a shiver down Lee Hyun-seung’s spine.

“To be honest, I did conduct a thorough investigation into you. I thought that you didn’t seem like someone who would commit such a despicable act. However…”

Slowly

He raised his staff as he spoke.

“Words, you see, must be met with responsibility. While truth is important, truth does not always hold the highest value.”

At that moment, Yoo Han-beom struck the floor of the interview room forcefully.

• Kwooooon!

Although he had lightly struck it with his cane, the entire room began to shake violently. It was because of the massive mana contained within it.

• Flinch

Lee Hyun-seung briefly imagined what would have happened to him if he had been hit by that cane.

‘I would’ve died for sure.’

If he had been struck directly by a cane containing that immense mana, his body would have shattered in an instant.

He was reminded once again by the earlier strike. There was no way to defeat this man right now. However, Lee

Hyun-seung began to feel doubt about Yoo Han-beom’s actions.

‘Why is he repeating the same words over and over?’

Lee Hyun-seung had clearly stated that he had nothing to do with the stalking incident. He had said it with his life on

the line, no less. Yet, Yoo Han-beom continued to interrogate him, as if he wanted to hear a different answer.

Lee Hyun-seung recalled the word Yoo Han-beom had emphasized among all his statements.

• “Can I take it that you’re willing to take full responsibility? If it turns out that you are the culprit, there will be no leniency whatsoever.”

‘Responsibility. That’s it.’

For Yoo Han-beom, whether or not he had committed the stalking was not the issue. He wasn’t focusing on that now.

[‘Can you take responsibility for your words? And if so, how will you take responsibility?’]

It seemed as though he was saying that. Lee Hyun-seung quickly spoke up.

“I can take responsibility for everything I’ve said. If the investigation finds that I am even remotely involved in the stalking incident, I will gladly accept any retaliation the Artemis Guild decides to impose.”

Then Lee Hyun-seung added.

“However, the investigation must be fair. Both Yoo Hee-yeon and Madam Kim Hee-ra, the wife of Guildmaster Yoo

Han-beom, seem to have a very negative view of me. As the Guildmaster knows, if Madam Kim Hee-ra uses

Artemis’s power however she pleases, she could turn an acquittal into a conviction. Therefore, the investigation

process must be fair.”

• Kwaaang!

“You! Watch your words! You’re pushing your luck, crawling up endlessly because I’ve been lenient!”

Up until now, Yoo Han-beom had been testing Lee Hyun-seung, but this time, he reacted as though genuinely angry.

Although Lee Hyun-seung had been indirect with his words, he had clearly stated his point.

[‘If your wife and daughter are not secretly scheming against me, I will be found innocent.’]

• Kwooooong!

Yoo Han-beom began to draw upon all the energy within his body.

But Lee Hyun-seung did not panic. Instead, he seemed to have been waiting for this moment.

“Guildmaster Yoo Han-beom, I apologize for my rude words earlier. However, there’s one thing I’d like you to

understand. It’s extremely unpleasant for the person involved when you speak of things that have not happened as if

they were truth.”

Lee Hyun-seung lowered his head and continued.

“I did not stalk anyone. But because of Yoo Hee-yeon’s accusations, I almost ended up being convicted. What didn’t

happen almost became reality. In fact, I was even suspended from school because of it, despite the lack of evidence. I

don’t know why President Choi Isul handled the matter the way she did, but I’ll refrain from discussing it further.”

“After that, you came to interrogate me. Asking how I would take responsibility if I were found guilty. You

interrogated me once more over something that didn’t happen. Just like you were upset, I was also upset.”

It was the truth. Since Yoo Han-beom had also gotten angry over Lee Hyun-seung’s questioning and assumptions, he

had no logical counterargument.

• Swooosh

Yoo Han-beom calmed the mana he had been raising and spoke to Lee Hyun-seung.

“You fool, after I became enraged, I lost any chance to rebut your words. I apologize for my foolish display. And I’ll also apologize for interrogating you as I did.”

‘…What is this?’

Lee Hyun-seung’s reaction wasn’t one of relief, but rather of unease. If anyone else had apologized, it would have

been seen as a resolution, but Yoo Han-beom was different. He never apologized without reason. That’s why Lee

Hyun-seung felt afraid. What was he planning to do, apologizing in advance?

As expected, Yoo Han-beom said something that sent a chill down his spine.

“Honestly, I’ve done a lot of research on you. I thought you didn’t seem like someone who would do something like stalking. But…”

• Swoosh

He raised his cane and continued speaking.

“The thing is, you have to be able to take responsibility for your own words. The truth is important, but truth doesn’t always hold the highest value.”

• Fzzzziiing!

His cane began to shine brighter.

“I want to see if your actions right now are out of arrogance or if they stem from a true belief.”

He spoke in a low, deep voice.

“I’ll use C-rank magic, limiting the output to just 10%. If you can block it even once, I’ll consider your words to be genuine belief, and I’ll treat you accordingly.”

C-rank magic was at the bottom of the rank for the magic Yoo Han-beom could use. Even limiting the output to 10% seemed like a small challenge.

‘What the hell is he saying… this is madness.’

However, Lee Hyun-seung knew from countless plays of Broad Academy Online that there was a massive gap in

stats between him and Yoo Han-beom. Even with the debuff, it might be impossible to avoid, let alone defend

against, that level of power. But.

• Fweeeeng!

Yoo Han-beom didn’t seem to give him a choice. His cane was already raised.

‘I have no way out.’

There was no escaping the interview room, nor any other way to turn this situation around. If Yoo Han-beom

changed his mind and used B-rank magic, it could be lethal.

‘Damn…’

Swoosh

After going through a few simulations in his mind, Lee Hyun-seung knew this was the only option. He drew his gun.

At that moment.

• Diiing!
• You’ve entered combat with an opponent of significantly higher strength.
• As a special reward, your Gunman job proficiency has increased.

[Legendary Gunman]

▶ Job Proficiency: 99 -> 100%

Your Gunman job proficiency has reached 100%. As a result, your job level increases.

• Diiing!
• Your Gunman job level has risen to 2. You’ve earned a special skill as a reward.

[B] Amplify – Temporarily increases the power of all skills. The effect is influenced by job level and job grade.

Seeing the pop-up window, Lee Hyun-seung grinned.

‘This might be doable.’

He quickly cast the skill.

• [Amplify] – Temporarily increases the power of all skills.
• Swoosh

Lee Hyun-seung aimed his gun at Yoo Han-beom and quietly said.

“If I manage to block your attack, you must keep your word.”

Yoo Han-beom replied.

“I swear on my honor. If you can block it, I will treat you accordingly.”

Click!

Lee Hyun-seung loaded his gun without a word. Then.

The magic Yoo Han-beom launched twisted like a dragon and rushed towards him.

[Lightning]

• Fzzzziiing!

At that moment, Lee Hyun-seung fired his bullet straight into Yoo Han-beom’s magic.

• Bang!

[Last Bullet]

• Consumes all the bullets currently loaded and fires a powerful single shot. The effect of [Amplify] increases the power of [Last Bullet]. With the Legendary Gunman’s trait bonus, additional damage is applied.